Visita Iglesia 2013

For the third year in a row, SLRP went on a Lenten pilgrimage. This time the destination was Batangas province. For 2013, the parish visited San Roque Church in Lemery, Our Lady of Caysasay and San Martin de Torres Basilica in Taal, St. Joseph the Patriarch in San Jose, St. James the Greater in Ibaan  and, San Sebastian Cathedral and Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Lipa. So far, this was the biggest group handled by our parish, 157 pilgrims, taking up 3 buses and 1 van. For some, this was the 3rd time they joined the Visita Iglesia; for others, their 2nd, and still others, their first. As in the past, the Visita was also an expanded Way of the Cross, with 2 stations being meditated upon in each church.

The highlight of this year’s pilgrimage was the solemn mass celebrated by Father Luke in Our Lady of Caysasay with the Caysasay Shrine Rector Fr. Von Cumagun giving  the history and religious background of Caysasay. After the mass, the pilgrims had a chance to venerate the miraculous image of Our Lady of Caysasay and visit the well of Sta. Lucia along the  Pansipit River close by where the image of the Virgin was found by Juan Maningcad in 1603.

157 parishioners is quite a big number to look after and there were bound to be inconveniences, like unexpected delays and long queues at the veneration of images and the toilets. Despite these “wrinkles”, we all arrived safe and sound back in SLRP just 1 hour behind the expected time of arrival. For everyone it was another unforgettable experience, not just because we were given another opportunity to appreciate our heritage, not just because of the opportunity to again bond with one another, but more importantly because of the chance given us to examine our hearts, especially during this Lenten season, and to ask ourselves: “Where am I in my journey to perfect my faith”?

 

Convent Roof Repairs Completed

2013 brings much hope to the parishioners of San Lorenzo Ruiz as the parish continues with improvements in its infrastructure.
 

Among the major thrusts of this project were the replacement of the old and worn out roof and ceiling of the convent. Started in late July 2012, the repairs of the parish convent is now in its final stages with the laying of tiles and painting of the attic left to be completed.

With the generous assistance of well-meaning parishioners and the volunteerism of its constituents, the refurbished convent roof now has been strengthened, the old wooden beams and trusses replaced with stronger and longer lasting steel members. As an added bonus, a fully functional attic was constructed which can eventually work as a secondary office and storage for the parish office’s important documents and records. In addition, the dirty kitchen at the back of the convent was also upgraded.

Of the total budgeted cost of P1.5M, the final cost came to P1.3M, saving the parish some P200 thousand which will now be used as seed fund for the renovation of the multi-purpose hall. The project was completed in 6 months. This project could not have been completed on time and on budget without the communal support of its parishioners, benefactors and parish leaders.

             Repaired Roof and Attic

 

           Storage area and  office space

 

Here is the (unaudited) financial report of the project as of January 31, 2013:

Funds Received P 1,541,477.07

Funds Disbursed   -1,333,659.00

    Net Funds     P    +207,818.07

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